How to Treat a Horsefly Bite

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Knowing how to treat a horsefly bite can severely reduce pain and most importantly stop infection. Unlike other insect bites, which take from 2-3 days to heal, a bite from a horsefly can take quite a while to heal. Instead of piercing the skin, a horsefly actually bites and cuts the skin, licking up the blood. This can be more painful than a bee sting and is prone to infection. Read in more detail on how to treat a horsefly bite in order to take care of your body and those around you to the best of your ability.

KNOW THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A HORSEFLY BITE - Common symptoms of a horsefly bite include a rash of weals (inflamed areas filled with fluid), dizziness, weakness, wheezing, and itchy pale pink or red swellings around the eyes and lips. The bite itself will most likely be itchy. Unfortunately, these symptoms may occur even if you know how to treat a horsefly bite. Treating a bite properly, however, can prevent infection with much worse and even deadly symptoms.

KNOW WHICH SYMPTOMS REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION - If you are experiencing any other symptoms such as blistering, swollen glands, extensive wheezing, a high fever, flu like symptoms, or a severe rash within two days of being bitten. You may have an allergic reaction and need to get medical help immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry! If you are just reading this now and your wound is increasingly painful, forming pus, hot and red, it may be infected and you need to see a doctor to prevent blood poisoning.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING BITTEN - You will want to clean the wound as soon as you realize you were bitten to prevent infection. You can do this with regular soap and water.

REDUCE SWELLING AND ITCHING - Most people recommend putting hydro-cortisone cream or benadryl cream on bite to reduce swelling and itching in addition to taking an anti-histamine tablet or piriton tablet. Other people swear by home remedies which include: soaking a tea towel in boiling hot salty water and then placing on the bite for as long as possible, aloe vera juice extract, vinegar to relieve the pain and an ice cube or cool pad to relieve itchiness.

COVER IT UP - once you have used your treatment of choice, cover the horsefly bite with a loose badge to keep clean and continue on with your life. Congratulations you have survived your first horsefly bite!

Tip

Horseflies are most active in hot, humid weather. If you are know you are going to be in an area with horseflies cover up and consider taking garlic supplements to prevent being bitten.

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